Some deserted beaches at the foot of Son Tra Peninsula

When people mention Da Nang's beaches, most think of My Khe — long, wide, crowded, with every service you need. But following the coastal road around Son Tra Peninsula, there's a series of small, hidden beaches with far fewer people.

These beaches share common characteristics: golden sand, clearer water than the central area because there are fewer boats, and virtually no services — no chairs, no floats, and mostly no lifeguard stations.

That's both a great idea and something you need to be careful about. Empty means that if something happens, there's no one nearby. So you should go with at least two people, don't swim too far out, and absolutely don't go into the water after drinking beer.

A few practical notes:

Season: the best time is roughly from April to August, when the sea is calm. From September onward, the waves get big and rip currents are common — during that season you should swim at beaches that have lifeguards. • Downhill sections: Several areas involve walking down steep terrain on dirt paths that become slippery after rain. Flip-flops are not recommended. • No facilities: Please bring water, light snacks, and carry your trash out with you. On the peninsula, there are no trash cans as plentiful as in the downtown area. • Some beaches belong to resort areas and are not open to the general public — if you see signs or barriers, please turn back and do not attempt to enter.

Going early in the morning is the best: it's cool, the water is calm, and often the entire beach is just yours. Combine it with a trip up to Linh Ung Pagoda and you've got yourself a perfect outing.